First Lines Friday

First Lines Friday is a bookish meme hosted by Literary Marie. I encourage all of my fellow book bloggers and bookhearts to play along.

• Grab your current read(s).
• Share the first line(s).
• Include the title and author.

"I press myself against the brick wall and curse."

~ After We Burned by Marieke Nijkamp 

Joy Goddess

"You know I am not afraid of dying but just the same one can never tell." ~ pg. 244

A'Lelia Walker is the daughter of millionaire entrepreneur Madam C.J. Walker, dubbed the "Joy Goddess of Harlem 1920s" by poet Langston Hughes. In a new biography by her namesake, A'Lelia Bundles tells the great inspiring story of her great grandmother. She was a fascinating figure in history who threw extravagant parties. Her salon helped define the Harlem Renaissance era. After inheriting her mother's haircare enterprise, A'Lelia became America's first high profile Black heiress. 

Through extensive research and personal correspondence, this new biography tells a rich history that is inspiring to readers. A'Lelia shares the details of her great grandmother's glamorous life, radiant personality and business sense outside of her famous mother's legacy. Very well written! I recommend Joy Goddess for readers of all ages for a look into a lesser known Black history figure. Educate yourself and others by adding Joy Goddess to your summer reading list.

Happy Early Pub Day, A'Lelia Bundles! Joy Goddess: A'Lelia Walker and the Harlem Renaissance will be available Tuesday, June 10.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~LiteraryMarie

Title: Joy Goddess: A'Lelia Walker and the Harlem Renaissance
Author: A'Lelia Bundles
Published: June 2025
Pages: 384
Edition: Galley
Genre: Historical Nonfiction
Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤

The Glory in Your Story

"Trusting God and the people He sends will always work out—if not in your favor, certainly for your good." ~ 20%

Founder & CEO of Mielle Organics, Monique Rodriguez, shares how her trials led to triumphs and a testimony in a new book titled The Glory in Your Story: Activating a Fearless Faith to Change Your Life, Your Career and the World. Mielle Organics is a Black-owned multi-million dollar hair company. But it wasn't an immediate success story. There were challenges and pivots along the way. Monique built resilience, recognized she needed positive partnerships with same values and leaned on her faith in God. Then the blessings flowed.

"Do not compare your dream, your journey, your chapter to someone else's." ~ 54%

Through guiding principles, Monique helps readers step into their God-given purpose and live in their glory. There are questions for reflection that I took the time to journal (also my favorite way to pray) and really think about next steps in my own path. She is transparent and ever more inspiring within these 240 pages. The Glory in Your Story is an easy read that can be finished in days but the exercises/lessons will stay with readers for far longer.

The Glory in Your Story is now available.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~LiteraryMarie

Title: The Glory in Your Story
Author: Monique Rodriguez
Published: April 2025
Pages: 240
Edition: Galley
Genre: Spiritual Nonfiction
Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤

Super Series Sunday: Glory Be / Glory Daze

(Glory Broussard #1 & #2) 

Series Sunday is a bookish meme hosted by Literary Marie. I encourage all of my fellow book bloggers and bookhearts to play along.

• Read an installment of a series.
• Share your review/recommendation below.
• Include the title, author and series name.

"As it turns out, tears aren't just a physical reaction, but a feeling." ~ pg. 8

My Super Series Sunday pick is Glory Be, the first book in the Glory Broussard series by Danielle Arceneaux. Set in the Louisiana bayou, we are introduced to an amateur sleuth named Glory Broussard. The book cover may give the impression that she's a righteous church lady in pearls and a big 'ole hat. After church though? Glory is an elderly urban gambling operation mastermind with headquarters in the local coffee shop.

On one hot sticky Sunday, Glory overhears the news that her best friend has been found dead. Glory disagrees when the police declare it a suicide. With her daughter in tow, she aims to find out who'd want to kill a nun. As a Black woman of a certain age who grew up in segregated Louisiana, she is used to being overlooked so uses it as an advantage. 

There is so much packed in less than 300 pages. Oil tycoons, nosy neighbors, gamblers, church gossips and more. The mystery unfolds at a great pace with no fluff or slow parts. Glory Be is a great introduction to this unforgettable character that is so full of personality.

"Ain't that a blip?" ~ pg. 202

I immediately borrowed the second book, Glory Daze, from my public library since it ended on a cliffhanger. Thank goodness I didn't have to wait in real time since I'm new to the series. All Glory wants is peace and quiet after solving the mystery of her best friend's murder. Then the woman responsible for breaking up her marriage walks into the coffee shop asking for help to find Glory's ex-husband. Of course she finds him...with a knife in his chest.

Glory is only playing amateur sleuth in this case for the sake of her daughter. She would much rather continue being a small-time bookie minding everyone's business. The deeper she digs into seedy casino culture and shady dealings, the more secrets she uncovers. Glory's no nonsense attitude takes a front seat but it's not enough to make this second installment as interesting as the first. Glory Daze was just okay. Still worth reading though!

Title: Glory Be

Author: Danielle Arceneaux

Published: October 2023

Pages: 272

Edition: Hardcover

Genre: Mystery

Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤

Title: Glory Daze

Author: Danielle Arceneaux

Published: March 2025

Pages: 304

Edition: Hardcover

Genre: Mystery

Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤

First Lines Friday

First Lines Friday is a bookish meme hosted by Literary Marie. I encourage all of my fellow book bloggers and bookhearts to play along.

• Grab your current read(s).
• Share the first line(s).
• Include the title and author.

"As a little girl, I was obsessed with all things beauty."

~ The Glory in Your Story by Monique Rodriguez

The First Gentleman

"Don't get involved. Observe and report." ~ pg. 142

The President of the United States is up for re-election. But her husband is on trial for murder. Talk about bad timing. A pair of journalists hit the streets, do their research and investigate whether the First Gentleman is a killer.

I am disappointed with The First Gentleman. I loved the previous collabs from Patterson and Clinton, The President is Missing and The President's Daughter, so much that my hopes were up. I just knew it would be a page-turner. Their writing did not complement each other this go-round. It did not flow. The chapters were choppy trying to stick with Patterson's signature writing style. It lacked the usual suspense and plot building that Patterson is known for. Clinton slacked on the political intrigue.

Where was the thrill in this thriller? Pass on it, Bookhearts. Save the time of reading almost 500 pages of an unsatisfying read.

Happy Early Pub Day, James Patterson and Bill Clinton! The First Gentleman will be available Monday, June 2.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~LiteraryMarie

Title: The First Gentleman
Author: James Patterson and Bill Clinton
Published: June 2025
Pages: 474
Edition: Galley
Genre: Thriller
Rating: 🖤

A Clean Mess

"But that's the thing, my emotions are like a jack-in-the-box. I never know which one is gonna pop up. And I don't have the right tools to, like, deal with them." ~ 23%

A Clean Mess: A Memoir of Sobriety After a Lifetime of Being Numb is a vulnerable, transparent look into Tiffany Jenkins' life after addiction. In a funny, raw new memoir that reads easy like a novel, Tiffany tells of her fresh start after being released from prison and struggle with an opioid addiction. Parenthood, romance, marriage, divorce, adulthood and entering the workplace are just a few of the topics. Life came at her fast! 

Memoirs are my favorite genre. It is admirable how writers open their hearts and life to the public. Tiffany Jenkins bared her soul on these pages! Girl, it was a lot! She shared truths and vulnerabilities despite the judgment or criticism she may receive. The positive impact that her story will give the sober community and addicts will make it worth it. Her clean mess is an inspiring 5-star read.

"Yes, bitch, that's when naps take place." ~ 26%

I most certainly added her first memoir, High Achiever, to my reading list. I recommend Bookhearts add both to their shelves.

Happy Early Pub Day, Tiffany Jenkins! A Clean Mess will be available Tuesday, June 3.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~LiteraryMarie

Title: A Clean Mess
Author: Tiffany Jenkins
Published: June 2025
Pages: 304
Edition: Galley
Genre: Memoir
Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤